The NHS Health Check Practice Based Point (POCT Pilot)

The NHS Health Check is a population wide prevention programme aimed at reducing the impact of vascular disease on health. This article provides a local perspective and focuses on the implementation of a Point of Care Testing (POCT) pilot in primary care, identifying benefits, challenges and improvements.  Findings suggest that utilising POCT in primary care has the potential to address population health and reduce inequalities.

by Sue Collins

Phased implementation of the NHS Health Check in England began in April 2009; with NHS Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) encouraged to offer preventative checks to people aged 40 to 74 years without established vascular disease [1]. The aim is to identify an individual